The “Don’t Say Gay” bill (HB 1557/SB 1834) has passed its first Florida House Committee. This dangerous bill — sponsored by Representative Joe Harding and Senator Dennis Baxley — blocks teachers from talking about LGBTQ issues or people and undermines existing protections for LGBTQ kids in schools.

This legislation is meant to stigmatize LGBTQ people, isolate LGBTQ kids, and make teachers fearful of providing a safe, inclusive classroom. The existence of LGBTQ students and parents is not a taboo topic that has to be regulated by the Florida Legislature.

Florida’s legislative session has often been called “the most dangerous 60 days” in our state. And for almost 25 years, Equality Florida has been on the front lines protecting our community from bad ideas coming out of Tallahassee.

2022 Legislative Slate

For Immediate Release: December 6, 2021